| Author |
Manager, membership services |
| Issues |
At the November 1996 meeting, General Council requested that the proposed new policy statement be circulated to divisions for comment and brought back to this meeting. Comments were received from seven divisions and have been incorporated into the draft statement in italics. Respondents are identified using the following abbreviations: Disabilities Interest Group (DIG); NT Branch (NT); QLD Branch (QLD); Asia and Pacific Special Interest Group (APSIG)*.
The Public Libraries Section (WA Group), TAFE Section (NSW Group) and the Special Libraries Section (National Group) advised that they were happy with the draft and offered no suggested amendments.
* During the APSIG meeting to discuss the draft statement, three amendments were suggested but no consensus was achieved. Mr John Brudenall has submitted the suggested amendments for consideration by General Council. |
| Recommendation |
That General Council adopt the proposed ALIA policy statement on ALIA and international relations |
| Attachment |
The draft policy statement
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Draft policy statement on ALIA and international relations
The Australian Library and Information Association recognises the global information environment in which its members now operate and the importance of the Australian profession making a vigorous international professional contribution. It believes:
- As one of the world's leading library and information organisations, (NT: omit 'As one of the world's leading library and information organisations' as it is unnecessary and irrelevant in this context) the Association should be strongly involved in the work of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), the world body for librarianship. (APSIG: IFLA provides a principal forum within which Australian librarians contribute to the theory and practice of librarianship internationally). The Association notes particularly the importance to the nearby region of IFLA's Regional Standing Committee on (APSIG: replace 'on' with 'for') Asia and Oceania (RSCAO), (DIG: the IFLA Section on Libraries for the Blind) and the Advancement of Librarianship in the Third World (ALP) Core Programme, and the need for continued appropriate Australian involvement in these activities.
- The Australian profession has particular responsibilities in the Asia and Pacific region, but also benefits from active involvement in regional professional activities and developments. We have much to contribute, and much to learn, through strong involvement with our regional colleagues in appropriate programmes and activities. In recognising this the Australian profession must give strong encouragement to library growth in developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Association sees its regional priorities as:
- fostering of national (APSIG: replace 'fostering of national' with 'providing encouragement to national library') associations in countries in Asia and the Pacific;
- promoting Australian participation in appropriate regional meetings and forums, including the important (NT: omit 'important' as it is superfluous and a value judgement with which not all members would necessarily agree) CONSAL (Congress of Southeast Asian Librarians) conference;
- promoting opportunities for attendance by Asian and Pacific information professionals, and inclusion of programme content on regional developments, in appropriate Australian conferences and meetings; and
- informing the Australian profession of library developments in those countries, and promoting opportunities for individual involvement and shared programmes in concert with other Australian library bodies. (APSIG: add 'and libraries in the region').
- The Association should work (QLD: replace 'should work' with 'works') to influence the foreign and trade policies of the Australian Government and its aid agencies to ensure they take account of the library development needs of developing countries in the region, and create opportunities for participation in appropriate programmes by Australian professionals.
- The Association should recognise (QLD: replace 'should recognise' with 'recognises') the importance of influencing key national consultative bodies, including the Australian National Commission for UNESCO because of the extensive UNESCO library, communications and cultural programmes impacting on developing countries in the region, to take account of regional needs for library development including telecommunications and technological opportunities. (NT: add 'ALIA should develop strong links with other library associations throughout the world. ALIA will work towards gaining reciprocal membership benefits with these associations for its members.' Document is one-sided, looking only at our potential contribution to others. We believe that ALIA members could also benefit from our international counterparts. The real intent of the draft document is international but it seems to particuarly focus on regional areas).
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